Monday October 23rd 2006

I arranged to meet Stewart Davies (Land and Drainage Officer -Torfaen County Borough Council) at the Five Locks Moorings (Pontnewydd) at 9.30 a.m. ; the weather conditions were overcast; our mission, once again, to walk, discuss and inspect, the sections of the canal which meanders through Cwmbran (Cwmbran Tunnel to Ty Coch Way).

• Heavy infiltration of weed in lock at start of section (adjacent to Cross Keys pub). Update: Intention to remove.

• Some litter throughout section.

• Litter bins along section being used.One required emptying.

• Pruning and `over growth` clearing `, adjacent Pontnewydd park, aim to start in November.

• Several Mallard Ducks and Moorhens.

• Some Duckweed throughout section.

• Large area of Marsh Horsetail (Equisetum palustre).

• Plastic Litterbin vandalised - destroyed by fire



• Some Duckweed present.

• Water vole.

• Some litter in `holding area`.

• Vandalism (August) - Several `Crib Lock` stone blocks, beneath wooden footbridge dislodged and others missing Update:` Ownership` needs establishing/ on going concern.
• Litter prevalent.
• Several shoals of fish observed: Tench, Roach and Perch.
• A couple of dragonflies observed.

.. `Pets at Home` store ..

.. Excellent news please read update ..

For several months, I have been publishing my concern, in regards to tote boxes and wooden pallets belonging to the `Pets at Home` store, which is situated adjacent to the canal. On countless occasions, I have observed these items, discarded by `acts of vandalism`, in the canal. I have stated that this is unacceptable and a `negative form of advertising`

.. Storage compound, fire damaged, unsecured and gate inadequate for the purpose ..

On the 29th August 2006, I received a positive response from Mr. David Poole (Retail Operations Manager) who informed me that he had requested their Maintenance department to obtain competitive tender prices for either the repair and make good of the storage compound or the total renewal, the latter being his preferred option.

On the 14th September 2006, I received a further positive response from Mr. David Poole (Retail Operations Manager), who informed me that approval had been granted for the new secure compound at the Cwmbran store. The order has now been placed with the contractor and the work will be undertaken as soon as the fencing etc; is manufactured.

Update:-

Excellent news to report !!

In the first week of October, a secure, purpose built compound was installed.

.. A victory for common sense  ..

• Minimal litter.

• Three shopping trolleys discarded in the canal.

• A litterbin installed on a nearby Lamp post being used.

• `Steel` Litterbin in use, needed emptying.

• Several Mallard ducks and Moorhens.

• Duckweed prevalent.

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• Some litter at Two Locks end of section.

• Plastic litterbin previously destroyed by fire, removed and request made for replacement made of steel.

• Several dragonflies.

• Duckweed prevalent.

• Steel Litterbin in use.

N.b  Suggestion made to acquire another steel litterbin, to be cited adjacent road bridge and towpath.

• Litterbins in use.

• Recycle bin in canal.

• Wheelbarrow wheel in canal.

• Duckweed prevalent.

• Several Mallards and Moorhens.

• Light litter.

  Positive Elements

• People walking, fishing, cycling ..... enjoying our industrial heritage and recreational asset.

• The installation of a `secure compound` at the `Pets at Home` store.

• All Litterbins in use.

• Continual evidence of dog owners being responsible by `poop scooping` and depositing the bagged faeces in the litterbins.
• Several Mallards and Moorhens.

• Several Dragonflies throughout sections.

• A water vole observed.

... Each day WE  have a Choice ...

... We can choose to work .. With the Environment ...